NBN Co seeks to progressively take ownership of the Optus coaxial access network in those parts of the country where it represents the fastest and most cost effective way to deliver fast broadband to families and businesses.

Under the previous government, NBN Co and SingTel Optus had agreed to the progressive migration of Optus subscribers to the NBN and the eventual decommissioning of the Optus HFC network. NBN Co now plans to incorporate copper and HFC alongside fibre, fixed wireless and satellite technologies, to reduce the overall cost of the project.

“This deal will bring down the overall cost of building the NBN and enable us to complete the rollout much earlier than originally anticipated with less disruption to residents and communities. What’s more, making use of technologies such as HFC – rather than decommissioning them – enables Australia to capitalise on the significant investments being made globally in broadband technology," stated Bill Morrow, NBN Co CEO.

NBN Co also updated its 2015 roadmap, stating that construction of the NBN will have commenced or be complete for around 3.3 million Australian homes and businesses by June 2016. Currently, about 309,000 premises across Australia are connected to the NBN.